MLB recants, will let Dirk throw out Game 3 first pitch

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has stepped in after wide public backlash and will allow Dallas Mavericks star forward Dirk Nowitzki to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series Saturday night in Arlington.

ESPN.com Dallas reports that Selig stepped in after the Rangers’ original plan to allow Nowitzki to particpate before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals had initially rejected by Major League Baseball officials. The thinking was that the owners in the sport were showing solidarity with other sports owners by not allowing an NBA player to be showcased during the lockout.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney, after earlier in the day confirming that the Rangers’ request to bestow the first-pitch honors on Nowitzki had been denied, said the commissioner was not involved in the original veto and ordered the reversal.

Nowitzki quickly accepted the invite Wednesday night, only minutes after taking to Twitter to thank fans for their backing after he was deemed to be not a suitable first-pitch thrower.

“Thanks every1 on the support regarding first pitch,” Nowitzki tweeted. “It’s ok.Mlb is too old school. I will still be there to support our boys. Let’s get game1.”

Nowitzki has several close friends on the Rangers and threw the first pitch of a Rangers game a couple of weeks after the Mavericks claimed their first title.

The Rangers’ team is interested in some of Nowitzki’s victory karma spreading over to their team. Showcasing one of the most popular athletes in the area also shows them as good citizens of the area.